Art in downtown Los Angeles has a strong presence through the dominant skyscrapers and bustling L.A. sidewalks, especially in the city’s corporate wonderland. From the sweeping architecture of The Disney Concert Hall to the neatly trimmed shrubbery lining the sidewalk adjacent to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), L.A. is seeping with artistic flair.
An especially powerful aspect of artistic flair in Los Angeles is the presence of street art blasted on what would have otherwise been boring parking lot walls, and bare building corners. Street art is a powerful platform for reaching the public, especially for an artist who lacks resources and connections. The crowded streets, which deny no one based on socioeconomic or social factors, become their art gallery. The street artist’s creations are on a worldwide stage, a stage where anyone with a wandering eye can land.
The motivations of street artists are as varied as the forms of street art, and the street artists themselves. Some wish to make a political statement or raise awareness for social issues; others see the urban streets and vacant lots as virgin canvases for splashes of color and framework of design. Thrill-seekers with an artistic bone may enjoy the risks and challenges involved with diverting from law-abiding practices and installing, sticker-ing and wheat-pasting their art.
Is Street Art Legal?
Are the plastered posters, intriguing and weird stickers decorating city lampposts...criminal? Do we call it vandalism? Graffiti? Public art?
The legal distinction between illegal street art and legal street art is permission. With permission, traditional graffiti and street art are considered legal public art. Without permission, street artists and graffiti artists are considered criminals committing acts of vandalism. The lack of permission however does not scare street artists away.
World famous street artists like Banksy and Shepard Fairey have painted without permission yet are seen and glorified as legitimate and socially conscious artists who have not faced criminal charges.
Hence, the one thing most (if not all) street artists have in common is a pseudo name. Okko is not exception. Okko explains that street art is the best way for him to express himself in this city, on a public scale. Okko’s motives are anything but detrimental. Street art inspires Okko, and Okko hopes to inspire others through his art. Okko chooses the platform of street art because it is the most conducive to his availability, interest, resources and simply, Okko’s desire to reach the masses. Okko is recognized on various street art blogs highlighting Los Angeles street art.
In contrast to the majestic art structures, professionally crafted, present in the Financial District, Okko’s art stands in harmonious juxtaposition to the well-established sculpture and architecture of downtown.
In contrast to the negative effects that vandalism can have on a community in an urban setting, Michael, a Downtown Los Angeles local and crepe-maker at a local crepe bakery located in the Financial District, Crepe Xpress, suggests that street art has had regenerative effects on the neighborhood and city. Michael explains that, “street art is inspiring and it illuminates this city beyond any shiny corporate windows could. It just makes you feel good and I believe that alone changes the hearts of people who live, work, and eat around here.”
Okko explained "Los Angeles is home to a lot of different cultures, not only ethnically but also interest-wise. The art culture, the music culture and all the various different scenes that are kinda overlapping, and moving through each other and influencing each other." Okko believes that visual art and the presence of street art in the form of murals and of illegal pieces, sets the stage and illustrates the idea of cultures without boundaries.